eCommerce and Rich Internet Applications

When people mention e-Business
or e-Commerce, most of us think about an order process or
transactions much like when we purchase an item online. Add
the item to your cart; enter your credit card information
and go through the checkout. While this is a good example
of e-Commerce, it is only one of infinite possibilities.

e-Commerce is just that, electronic commerce. The term incorporates
any business function that can be done in electronic format.
The web is a great forum to host many applications because
of its reach.

The Internet has become a platform
for application development. From a simple online form and
dealer listing to complex inventory management systems and
online
tech support systems, the web's broad reach is an ideal
forum for business applications.

In the past, the web has not been thought of as a host to
business applications in due to the limitations of HTML. With
the emergence of Adobe Flash™ in the past few years
and the growing use of it's enhanced graphics, animation and
ability to process complex tasks, came Rich Internet Applications.
In short, Rich Internet Applications are an efficient and
effective method of completing task that was once thought
cumbersome.